Since when did a school trip cost the equivalent of a family holiday??

Just got a letter through the post from my daughter's school advising they are going on a ski trip to France for 5 days costing nearly £700. Once I'd forced my mouth shut I re-read the letter and realised it wasn't even for the whole family - just my daughter! One person aged 11! (Not really the cost of a family holiday but not far off it lol!) My other kids' trips were nowhere near the cost of that. Is anyone else having the same thoughts? Or is it just me? Thankfully they allow you to pay in instalments but still...... I'm secretly hoping she doesn't want to go (she didn't really enjoy the ski lessons they got in Primary 7) but then again its a holiday isn't it? PS it is also by COACH (from Edinburgh) and not even the luxury of a flight.

because you're paying for the teachers, and they dont shop around. it is ridiculous. most people dont see anything wrong with it.

my sixth form is charging £800 for 5days in New York. i told my friend (headboy) i'd be able to do it for half that. he didnt believe me.

also, most people i know would never dream of touching easyjet / ryanair! instead, whilst booking their summer holiday flights they go with 'reputable ones' and pay a fortune. for short haul easyjet and ryanair are great as long as you tick the right boxes.

24th Mar 2010

Im dreading this wehn my DD goes to school theres no way i could afford that for a school trip, thankfully shes only 19 months at the mo

24th Mar 2010

It is because it is skiing as well, due to insurance purposes etc as well though, and not just a fact of them going and letting them off on their own. Thus will have trained people with them and watching etc.But also of course they dont shop around as such either which is detrimental.

24th Mar 2010

Wow I left school 10 years ago and used to think about £100 was bad for 3 days in a hotel or £200 for a ski trip(it was always the well off kids that went really class/income based school I went to)

Banned

24th Mar 2010

£800 is nothing when you consider what you pay for tuition each term:?

24th Mar 2010

emhaslam;8193740

because you're paying for the teachers, and they dont shop around. it is … because you're paying for the teachers, and they dont shop around. it is ridiculous. most people dont see anything wrong with it.my sixth form is charging £800 for 5days in New York. i told my friend (headboy) i'd be able to do it for half that. he didnt believe me.also, most people i know would never dream of touching easyjet / ryanair! instead, whilst booking their summer holiday flights they go with 'reputable ones' and pay a fortune. for short haul easyjet and ryanair are great as long as you tick the right boxes.

Can you let me know where I can get a 5 day holiday in New York for £400 including flights and accomodation, thanks

24th Mar 2010

I'm organising a trip to a youth hostel in Norfolk in May, it's 4 days and will cost £140 including all food, travel, accommodation and trips out etc. I know it's not the same as New York etc. but i think what we're charging is pretty cheap, especially as i teach students with learning difficulties and disabilities.

We have to cost it all out and obviously i don't pay (the students cover it) but i shop around a much as possible to make it more affordable so everyone has the chance to go.

Original Poster

24th Mar 2010

Oh good - so its not just me being a tight a**e then!

Original Poster

24th Mar 2010

sancho1983;8193786

I'm organising a trip to a youth hostel in Norfolk in May, it's 4 days … I'm organising a trip to a youth hostel in Norfolk in May, it's 4 days and will cost £140 including all food, travel, accommodation and trips out etc. I know it's not the same as New York etc. but i think what we're charging is pretty cheap, especially as i teach students with learning difficulties and disabilities. We have to cost it all out and obviously i don't pay (the students cover it) but i shop around a much as possible to make it more affordable so everyone has the chance to go.

Great - have you room for one more? Aged 11 - she'll be wearing the ski goggles......

Banned

24th Mar 2010

Since when did a family holiday only cost £800??

Original Poster

24th Mar 2010

FilthAndFurry;8193798

Since when did a family holiday only cost £800??

Well you know what I mean - it USED to cost before Flyglobespan went bust LOL

24th Mar 2010

I asked this same question last weekhotukdeals.com/ite…805Crazy isn't it - we're going ( family of 4) for a week all-inclusive at half term in may for £950 and yet paying £690 for one child for 5 nights in a hostel in Austria - and thats not skiing so they've not had to pay for a lift pass etc.

24th Mar 2010

When I was at school they charged us £1,800 for a 5 day skiing trip!!

24th Mar 2010

Crikey, I'm dreading when they get old enough for school trips like that. ATM it's just a fiver to go to the zoo or something, I would have to say no to something that expensive.

24th Mar 2010

aside from the cost its a joke, the parents have to ask for permission to the school, to have a holiday in term time, when its cheaper. Yet these school trips which are marginally educational, are more of a jolly for ALL involved although if things go wrong yes it can be extremely difficult, I understand that. However it shows too much hypocrisy from the schools when it comes to the school trips abroad, compared to parents wishing to do a similiar such trip for less expense which is sadly more lightly to be turned down by the shcool anyway.

Original Poster

24th Mar 2010

bluedave;8193901

I asked this same question last … I asked this same question last weekhttp://www.hotukdeals.com/item/631618/school-trips-how-much-do-you-pay?p=8089805#post8089805Crazy isn't it - we're going ( family of 4) for a week all-inclusive at half term in may for £950 and yet paying £690 for one child for 5 nights in a hostel in Austria - and thats not skiing so they've not had to pay for a lift pass etc.

Crazy isn't the half of it! Suppose there will a lot more than us moaning about it as well - as I said before I'm hoping she doesn't want to go. She's not that athletic or sporty anyway and didn't enjoy the ski lessons at primary - but who knows!

Original Poster

24th Mar 2010

Alfonse;8194012

aside from the cost its a joke, the parents have to ask for permission to … aside from the cost its a joke, the parents have to ask for permission to the school, to have a holiday in term time, when its cheaper. Yet these school trips which are marginally educational, are more of a jolly for ALL involved although if things go wrong yes it can be extremely difficult, I understand that. However it shows too much hypocrisy from the schools when it comes to the school trips abroad, compared to parents wishing to do a similiar such trip for less expense which is sadly more lightly to be turned down by the shcool anyway.

Too true!

24th Mar 2010

this makes me laugh all you lot saying you are dreading it. my daughters are 6,13 and 15 and when they come home with a high priced trip and i think its too much/cant afford it its simple i just tell them no. although i must admit i have paid for the france trips twice once each for the older girls but we wasnt having a family holiday that year and we had some extra cash. but i will tell you i am not dreading nothing it will be a simple no.

24th Mar 2010

our 13 year old daughter is going to china on 1st april with the school-it is expensive,but I actually think its a reasonable deal for 8 days -flights both ways from glasgow to london then on to china. All transfers,hotels,an overnight train on one of their sightseeing trips,all meals and a translator /guide plus chinese visas for 1100 quid. Plus,as others have mentioned,I guess we are paying for the teachers too. Ski trips are always gonna be expensive because of equipment hire etc arent they?

Original Poster

24th Mar 2010

Think I forgot to mention that its by COACH! Can you believe it? Not even the luxury of a flight - driving all the way down from Edinburgh to Dover then over to Calais (I presume by ferry) then driving on other side. That's answers that question anyway as my daughter is a bad traveller and I know there's no way she'd even want to go if by coach.

24th Mar 2010

FilthAndFurry;8193798

Since when did a family holiday only cost £800??

Don't the Sun do family holidays for £10? You could go on quite a lot of them for £800. ;-)

24th Mar 2010

A 5 day trip, its gonna take the best part of a day each way with the coach, so its basically 3.And if your near Edinburgh, they could have just sent the kids to Aviemore or somewhere lol

Original Poster

24th Mar 2010

HaggisHunter;8194581

A 5 day trip, its gonna take the best part of a day each way with the … A 5 day trip, its gonna take the best part of a day each way with the coach, so its basically 3.And if your near Edinburgh, they could have just sent the kids to Aviemore or somewhere lol

Exactly - or Hillend Ski Slope 5 minutes away LOL. She's just came in and doesn't want to go anyway so didn't have to break it to her gently that she wasn't really getting to go!

Banned

24th Mar 2010

Alfonse;8194012

aside from the cost its a joke, the parents have to ask for permission to … aside from the cost its a joke, the parents have to ask for permission to the school, to have a holiday in term time, when its cheaper. Yet these school trips which are marginally educational, are more of a jolly for ALL involved although if things go wrong yes it can be extremely difficult, I understand that. However it shows too much hypocrisy from the schools when it comes to the school trips abroad, compared to parents wishing to do a similiar such trip for less expense which is sadly more lightly to be turned down by the shcool anyway.

Surely the reason they are cheaper in term time is because not as many people can go :roll:

Don't know about everyone else, but my daughter's schools allow holidays in term time up to a maximum of 2 weeks in any school year, as long as attendance is over 95% (I think) and it doesn't clash with SAT's or other exams.

They also arrange any school holidays (ie overnight stays) for school holiday times so the kids don't miss school (wish they didn't - would have made the trip to the artic my eldest just came back from a lot cheaper :x )

24th Mar 2010

made me laugh and choke late last year, my daughter went on a school trip for 4 days to an activity centre. For us it cost £210 but if we were in receipt of any JSA / benefits or tax credits and below a certain income level it would only have cost £20. Talk about taking the mickey

24th Mar 2010

Why do school trips have to be to New York or China?. Its ridiculous.

24th Mar 2010

LJM;8196773

Why do school trips have to be to New York or China?. Its ridiculous.

so they can experience different cultures ( china) and go to places where they may not with the parents :?

25th Mar 2010

£700 to China is worth it .......but to FRANCE..... just to ski.......!!! Didn't we get enough snow this year???

Banned

25th Mar 2010

coach!!! Dont do it - once did london to Austria and it took 24 hours. Edinburgh to france will be similar.

Just say no or suggest she pays half from her pocket money. She'll soon say she doesnt want to go.

Banned

25th Mar 2010

greyparrot;8194075

this makes me laugh all you lot saying you are dreading it. my daughters … this makes me laugh all you lot saying you are dreading it. my daughters are 6,13 and 15 and when they come home with a high priced trip and i think its too much/cant afford it its simple i just tell them no. although i must admit i have paid for the france trips twice once each for the older girls but we wasnt having a family holiday that year and we had some extra cash. but i will tell you i am not dreading nothing it will be a simple no.

:thumbsup:

exactly how it should be done. If only other parents had a pair too to utter the 'no' word to their little darlings ..............:-D

25th Mar 2010

greyparrot;8194075

this makes me laugh all you lot saying you are dreading it. my daughters … this makes me laugh all you lot saying you are dreading it. my daughters are 6,13 and 15 and when they come home with a high priced trip and i think its too much/cant afford it its simple i just tell them no. although i must admit i have paid for the france trips twice once each for the older girls but we wasnt having a family holiday that year and we had some extra cash. but i will tell you i am not dreading nothing it will be a simple no.

This.

Couldn't agree more ... as far as I'm concerned you should be honest with your children and tell them it you can't afford it. It goes a long way to helping them understand the value of money, etc. It's not a punishment ... it's reality (especially in the current climate!).

25th Mar 2010

I went on a watersports school trip in 3rd year and it was £600 or so, and we also travelled by coach. It was really awful. Took at least 24 hours there and back. Really not worth it! My mum couldn't afford it so I worked and saved up, and really regretted wasting so much money on it. lol that was about 6 years ago now.

Original Poster

25th Mar 2010

Coach would be absolute hell - I wouldn't even do it. I told her it was too expensive anyway but she's adamant that she didn't even want to go - she really didn't like ski-ing up north when they went last year with the school. Maybe if it had been an educational trip I wouldn't have minded so much but ski-ing? The fact it was by coach as well annoys me even more - subjecting your kids to that is nothing short of abuse! Especially all the way down to Dover from Edinburgh. Horrific! Would have thought the price would have included a flight at least.

25th Mar 2010

I went many times skiing with school and had the time of my life, my little one is going, whether she wants to go or not, as soon as the offer is there. It's not only a break for the kids its a break for us parents too:whistling:

25th Mar 2010

just for anyone that is interested these holidays are good for kids [url]www.pgl.co.uk[/url] its what the schools use and i am considering sending my girls there as its cheaper than the school trips especially when they have offers on and it sort of makes up on them not going on the school ones.

Banned

25th Mar 2010

greyparrot;8199461

just for anyone that is interested these holidays are good for kids … just for anyone that is interested these holidays are good for kids [url]www.pgl.co.uk[/url] its what the schools use and i am considering sending my girls there as its cheaper than the school trips especially when they have offers on and it sort of makes up on them not going on the school ones.

A lady I know sent her boys to the camp in shropshire last year and they loved it.

25th Mar 2010

DLM;8199480

A lady I know sent her boys to the camp in shropshire last year and they … A lady I know sent her boys to the camp in shropshire last year and they loved it.

yeah my 13 year old went with school 2 years ago and she said its fab.i am getting to old i can do jobs and save towards it mum lol bless her.but its not too bad especially when they have special offers on plus there school has brought out a skiing trip to italy and its right near xmas and £700 theres no way she could go on that plus then i would have to do it for her sister and £1400 is a no go. at least at this place not only would they enjoy it but it would probably only cost £500 for both of them.

Banned

25th Mar 2010

greyparrot;8199538

yeah my 13 year old went with school 2 years ago and she said its fab.i … yeah my 13 year old went with school 2 years ago and she said its fab.i am getting to old i can do jobs and save towards it mum lol bless her.but its not too bad especially when they have special offers on plus there school has brought out a skiing trip to italy and its right near xmas and £700 theres no way she could go on that plus then i would have to do it for her sister and £1400 is a no go. at least at this place not only would they enjoy it but it would probably only cost £500 for both of them.

Do they not know there is a recession on.

They should be holidaying in this country anyway.

More environmentally friendly x x

25th Mar 2010

DLM;8199558

Do they not know there is a recession on.They should be holidaying in … Do they not know there is a recession on.They should be holidaying in this country anyway.More environmentally friendly x x

i know personally i think its not fair its like my girls have said you get the kids that are going getting excited and some of the others feel low because of it as there parents cant afford it.i think the schools shouldnt put that pressure on the parents and children i see no need for trips out of the country.i had always said to my girls that when they started high school i would pay for one each and i did but luckily for me they completely understand and would far sooner go camping with us or if we had spare cash go on a pgl holiday. its not like they do without but last year they did mention a trip and i said no and that they cant have it always as we was actually going to cuba last year.kids do need to know they cant have absolutely everything they want. mine do get spoilt as it is but i think these high priced trips are bad enough for people folking out for 1 child and in my case it 2 of them as they are only 18 months apart in age.

Banned

25th Mar 2010

greyparrot;8199658

i know personally i think its not fair its like my girls have said you … i know personally i think its not fair its like my girls have said you get the kids that are going getting excited and some of the others feel low because of it as there parents cant afford it.i think the schools shouldnt put that pressure on the parents and children i see no need for trips out of the country.i had always said to my girls that when they started high school i would pay for one each and i did but luckily for me they completely understand and would far sooner go camping with us or if we had spare cash go on a pgl holiday. its not like they do without but last year they did mention a trip and i said no and that they cant have it always as we was actually going to cuba last year.kids do need to know they cant have absolutely everything they want. mine do get spoilt as it is but i think these high priced trips are bad enough for people folking out for 1 child and in my case it 2 of them as they are only 18 months apart in age.